War Machine Released from Bellator MMA Contract After Allegedly Assaulting Girlfriend

War
Machine, pictured here with girlfriend Christy Mack, has been
released by Bellator. | Keith Mills/Sherdog.com

Bellator
MMA has released War Machine
after learning that the welterweight is wanted by Las Vegas for his
part in an altercation that sent two people to the hospital.

According to a report by TMZ, War Machine is a
“primary suspect” in a three-person altercation that occurred early
Friday morning at the fighter’s Las Vegas residence that he shares
with porn star girlfriend Christy Mack. Although police have not
released the names of the victims, both of whom were sent to the
hospital, one was described to TMZ as War Machine’s “significant
other.”

War Machine, formerly known as Jon Koppenhaver, has been quite open
about his relationship with Mack on social media since the two
began dating. Recently, Mack has been seen cageside for a few of
the two-time UFC veteran’s fights.

While Las Vegas authorities have been unable to contact War Machine
on Friday, the allegations were enough for his employer to sever
all ties with the fighter.

“We have a zero tolerance policy here at Bellator when it relates
to any form of domestic violence, and after learning of this latest
incident involving Jon Koppenhaver -- War Machine -- Bellator is
releasing him from him promotional contract with the organization,”
Bellator President Scott Coker said in a statement.

War Machine has had several run-ins with the law in the past, and
was most recently arrested in 2010 for assault with a deadly weapon
at a San Diego bar. He has been jailed twice, once in August 2010
and again in February 2012.

The welterweight fought three times for Bellator in 2013, besting
Blas
Avena and Vaughn
Anderson in his first two outing with the promotion before
falling to Ron Keslar
this past October.